The sacrifice of diggers in past and present conflicts has been commemorated today at Remembrance Day ceremonies across the New England North West, and across the country.

While no WWI diggers remain, their family and friends have taken part in ceremonies to remember their sacrifice.

As rain fell on the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, a minute's silence was observed at exactly 11:00am marking 95 years since the guns fell silent in 1918.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating delivered the Commemorative Address, describing World War One as "Armageddon:".

"Those Australians fought and died not in defence of some Old World notion of competing empires and territorial conquests, but for the New World, the one they belong to and hope to return to," he said.

"I'm greatly heartened that so many young Australians find a sense of identity and purpose from the ANZAC legend."

The RSL's NSW state president, Don Rowe, says this year's Remembrance Day services also acknowledged those who have recently served in Afghanistan.

"With the Australian troops now pulling out of Afghanistan, and I think it's about time for us to particularly remember the 40 young Australians who made the supreme sacrifice in the last decade," he said.

"It's a reminder that the men and women who serve in the Defence Force face danger and, at times, they face that danger with their own lives."

Don Rowe says as Australia prepares for the centenary of the ANZACs it's very important that we recognise the importance of Remembrance Day.